Denzil Kobbekaduwe, the Iconic Ruggerite and Hero...

RUGBY: He lived down the street where we lived. His home, 177, Trincomalie Street, Kandy, served as a rallying point to many: from Trinity boarders who would scoot off and seek refuge; to Trinity's Asgiriya groundsman Marthelis who would patronize the Tavern only a squirt away; to driver Banda and the Mahaiyawa cheer squad leader Cortal dropping in to pay respects. Then there were streams of rugby players who would visit for counselling; and many of us simply for the pleasure of chatting with him, often late into the nights.

In all this, Denzil's hospitality knew no bounds. With his gifted-trade marked-smile he opened door and hearts and minds. His eyes would capture one's attention as they would well with affection, as if only you mattered to him. He had time for everyone, regardless of station in life.

And in life he was known as the General who was one of the smartest all-rounders that the country had produced. He would often say that his 'modest' accomplishments stemmed from the fountain of rugby from which he derived his credo.

To him that credo meant that Rugby was more than being simply a sport. It was where one learnt the rough and tumble of life: to fall and then get up; to take and give a tackle; to scrum together and move the line in cohesion; to motivate fellow players and to aspire to the impossible. It was also to detect and select the best in people and mould them into a cohesive unit a unit that would give and take a good fight; to display integrity and purpose and uphold right against might.

A fine gentleman

This week on August 8, 2012 as we remember him on the sad occasion of his 20th death anniversary, it is instructive that many of the credo that he drew from, has played out in his career both as the Sportsman, the Officer and the Gentleman.

In the prime of his career, as a distinguished Sandhurst graduate and Army Officer he was unfairly and embarrassingly interdicted by the UNP government in the 1965-70 period, on false accusation of being involved in a coup. He was reinstated with dignity and then hailed as a national hero and elevated posthumously as Lt. General. During the period of his suspension Denzil held his head high and did not allow himself to the sucked in by the political under-currents that was the 'sport' that others indulged in. He took the unfair tackle as a man. He acted like a gentleman and had the wisdom to know that time and tide will bring out the truth.

Instead he focused on the more rewarding pastime of such pursuits as club rugby and the coaching of Trinity with a passion that displayed that nothing can disturb him.

Denzil captained Kandy Sports Club having first played under YC Chang. His friend and senior colleague Major General Lalin Fernando recalls sadly how Denzil was debarred from entering the Army rugby ground which was hosting the Army-Kandy Sports rugby encounter. Yet, it was under Denzil's captaincy that the Kandy Sports team entered the Clifford Cup finals after 18 years, and lost to CR & FC only by a whisker.

Leadership qualities evident

In his schools days at Trinity where he captained the Trinity side in 1959, his super leadership qualities were evident. His team comprised Malcolm Talwatte, ARM Azain, Eric Roles, Tony Buultjens, S. Janakiram, Ken Murray, Jayantissa Ratwatte, Tyronne Hermon, Jayantha Jayawardene, Sari de Sylva, Gamini Fernando, Tuan Chunchi, Rohan Madena and Rihal Madugalle.

In the Bradby encounters which Royal won, the Royal team was captained by Maurice Anghie and included Lorenz Perera, Lakshman Kaluaaratchi and Tony Rankin and I Seneratne.

Jayantha Jayawardene's entry into that Trinity team at the age of 15 speaks to the fairness and meritocracy that Denzil believed in. One recalls that during the 1959 Easter Holidays, Jayantha-known as Jaws to some and Bulldozer to others- went uninvited for rugby practice and was selected to play for the traditional opening game against Medical College which enabled those selected to wear the Trinity Jersey.

The Prefect of Games at that time challenged Denzil stating that Jaws should not be playing in the first XV but should be in the Under 17 team. Denzil's response was: 'he came for practice and was very good and we selected him'. Let him be a reserve then, was the Prefect of Games' retort. Denzil stood his ground and prevailed.

As the 'Jaws' incident showed, Brigadier Nimal (ANP) Fernando a friend of colleague recalls how Lieutenant Denzil of the Armoured Corps was a courteous guy, kind but tough as nails when the occasion demanded. He was adored by the officers of our Regiment, Nimal adds, because of the manner in which he moved with officers and men of the unit and for being such a fine sportsman who brought honour to the Regiment in Hockey and Rugby.

But it was in the coaching of the Trinity Rugby Team that Denzil was in his element. It was under his tutelage that some of the finest Trinity rugby players of the 60s' emerged--in such stars as Shafi Jainudeen, Ajith Abeyratne, Iswan Omar, Mark Sunderalingam, Gogi Tillekeratne, Alex Lazarus, Gamini Udugama, John Furlong, and Mohan Balasuriya.

In 1969, a relatively inexperienced Trinity side under the late Shafi Jainudeen was moulded to win the Bradby. The Royal side had a double-barreled coaching outfit in Geoff Weinman and Lakshman Kaluaaratchi while Denzil coached Trinity.

In an interview prior to his passing, Shafi referred to Denzil as his 'hero' and an exceptional motivator of players. Joining in this tribute are two of the most respected players and coaches - Ajith Abeyratne and Iswan Omar.

Ajith states that the side Denzil coached produced six Sri Lankan caps, two of whom captained the country; and there were six captains of club sides who were Denzil protégés.

Iswan, one of the most versatile players in those times recalls how Denzil taught him the elements of leadership on how to work the players, to coordinate and play together, to display commitment and to win, but more importantly to abide by the rules of the game and uphold the spirit of rugby.

No wonder then that Ajith Abeyratne in the year that Denzil coached him as Captain stunned everyone by ordering one of his team off the field in the heat of a Bradby encounter for arguing with the Referee!

Denzil loved all sports

Denzil's love for sports was beyond the confines of rugby. He was inspired by Duncan White and wished to do what he could in the promotion of athletics. He not only became a board member of the Duncan White Sports Foundation but stepped forward and organized a Peace Run in honour of White, from Vavuniya to Colombo.

The Foundation distributed 'T Shirts' with Duncan's monograph on it. At one point Denzil called Vijitha Fernando, who was the man behind the Foundation, and said 'I am surprised how few people know of Duncan. A guy at the one of our relay exchanges asked " Kawda Yakko may Duncan Kiyanne?" ('who the devil is this Duncan'!?)

As a Commanding Officer he was reputed for avoiding to the full extent possible damage and harm to civilians and displayed an abundance of compassion and humaneness. Wing Commander E. H. Ohlmus, a ruggerite himself, states, Denzil's sense of fairplay, learnt on the rugby fields of Trinity College, simply exuded from him, and would certainly have earned for the Defence Establishment every chance of a speedy and just resolution of a totally unnecessary conflict. But that was not to be after the fateful day in Kayts.

Army Officer admired

It was because of his innate concern for others that the Lt. Gen. Denzil Kobbekaduwe Trust has been in operation for 14 years in his honour providing assistance to disabled servicemen and women and to the families of dead servicemen (and women) and to related village folk.

Although 20 years have passed, and as Lali, his wife, and his family continue to feel this huge loss, Denzil remains in the minds of millions of Sri Lankan as a Soldier's Soldier, a Sportsman and a Gentleman.

He was made of a fiber that was rare a blend of silk and steel. He will remain an Icon for generations to come.